I decided to look at guitarist Joshua Breakstone’s Facebook Page as I listened to his new CD, With The Wind And The Rain. His lead photo from his practice room was the atmospheric view over the Hudson River with the New York City skyline in a velvet fog. That must be a beautiful space because it has helped veteran jazz guitarist Joshua Breakstone further refine and define his tone, approach and construction of brilliant solo passages. Joshua Breakstone has been recognized as a major force in jazz guitar since the late 1970s. His first recording as a leader, Wonderful!

89.1 Jazz hits a high note this morning with a new CD from soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom – SixteenSunsets – and a beloved classic – My Favorite Things – from John Coltrane. Linda Yohn is in with 89.1 Jazz at 9 streaming on WEMU.org and on 89.1 WEMU.

It's tempting — and, really, accurate — to describe Rosanne Cash's new album as a literary effort. The singer-songwriter is also a published author, and her last album, 2009's The List, was a writer's game: Its 12 tracks abridged her famous father Johnny's 100-song lexicon of essentials, which he gave to his then-teenaged daughter as a legacy and a challenge.

Before turning the page on 2013, The Groove Yard's George Klein gave tribute to many artists that left the music community in 2013.

George compiled a list, below. However, it is not intended to be complete. It is a list of passings in music (mostly jazz and blues) and in music and creative culture that George learned about during the year and verified through various networks.

Yale Evelev, head of world music label Luaka Bop, digs up information about great-but-forgotten musicians for a living. His quest to compile and release the work of Nigerian funk legend William Onyeabor, though, was a unique challenge.

Thanksgiving is one of America’s greatest days of celebration - and great food! WEMU gets you in the mood with our annual Food Song Festival! Today we're celebrating the cooks, the diners and the delicacies from soup, salad and savory main courses to dessert and drinks. And – we have fun!

While Chicago may be America’s blues mecca, Detroiters are making a significant international impact in blues today, especially Seward Shah, better known as "Harmonica Shah”. Now on the illustrious Electro-Fi label from Toronto, Detroiter Harmonica Shah has not changed his gritty, earthy, raw and rocking urban blues style one iota. His songs reflect the deep heartbreak of living in present day Detroit while his classic harmonica licks reflects the birth of urban blues by Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Jr. Lockwood and Otis Spann. If you were ever tempted to think that real blues is a thing of the past, Havin’ Nothin Don’t Bother Me by Harmonica Shah will banish that thought.

Harrison Kennedy’s new Electro-Fi CD, Soulscape is another masterpiece of basic blues with Detroit connections. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Harrison Kennedy gained national fame as a member of the Detroit R&B group, The Chairmen Of The Board. They recorded for the Holland-Dozier-Holland Invictus label with hits such as Give Me Just A Little More Time and Skin I’m In. Edward Holland gave Kennedy 75 dollars to buy a guitar which he used to write many hits for the group.

Harrison Kennedy is still a prolific songwriter but has added a variety of acoustic instruments to his blues arsenal. On Soulscape you will hear his proficiency on banjo, mandolin, harmonica, spoons, fife, percussion and bread pan! But, what will really touch you is his pliant voice and the poetry of his heartfelt lyrics. His songs examine the eternal human condition and our modern miseries. As with Havin’ Nothin Don’t Bother Me, by Harmonica Shah, Soulscape by Harrison Kennedy will satisfy your soul’s craving for serious blues and roots music.

Piano-bass-drums. How often have you heard a WEMU host repeat that instrumental combination? More than you can count. Yet, this trio format remains a source of endless variation and fascination. A prime example of the possibilities is the new CD The Endless Mysteries by pianist George Colligan.

You have heard WEMU hosts repeat Colligan’s name for twenty years. We discovered him in 1993 as the pianist for saxophonist Ron Holloway. His debut recording as a leader, Activism followed in 1996 on Steeplechase Records. Since then Colligan has created a body of work for solo piano and ensemble that deserves consideration for his compositions and technique.

Jeff Haas of the New Jazz Archive stops by the WEMU studios ahead of the 100th anniversary of his father, broadcasting legend, Karl Haas' birth. And to talk about a few new programs spearheaded by Jeff to advance the legacy of jazz to new generations.